ON THE SUCCESSFUL CULTURE OF THE PANSY. 101 



eminence in science. Our best course, then, under existing circum- 

 stances, will be, as we before observed, to make the best use of the 

 knowledge already existing, at the same time that we diligently use 

 every means to extend its bounds, by experiment and close obser- 

 vation. 



ARTICLE III. 



ON THE SOIL. AND FORMATION OF A BED SUITED FOR THE 

 SUCCESSFUL CULTURE OF THE PANSY. 



BY C. C. OF SOMERSET. 



Having observed in the last Cabinet an article on the Pansy, by 

 your respected correspondent, Mr. Johnston, of Ballvkilbeg House, 

 and as he intends it for the benefit of young amateurs, and has not 

 told them the best way to make the beds to receive the plants on 

 which the successful culture of this beautiful flower depends, I have 

 forwarded these few hints for insertion in the Cabinet. 



If the soil of the garden rest on chalk, stone, or gravel, no drainage 

 will be required ; but if it be clay, or any other retentive soil, a good 

 drainage must be resorted to. In the first place, the soil must be 

 taken out of the bed to the depth of two feet, and place some rather 

 large stones or brickbats to the depth of six inches, and on that some 

 small stones or lime rubbish to the depth of five inches more, and put 

 a layer of turf one inch thick with the sward downwards, to prevent 

 the soil from getting down amongst the stones, and then fill up the 

 remaining twelve inches with soil prepared in the following manner. 

 Take some soil of a sandy nature, and mix with it one- fourth part of 

 cow-dung and one-fourth part of leaf mould ; mix it well together, 

 and let it remain in a heap at least a month before use, turning it 

 two or three times before using. The soil should be put in the bed 

 in a moderately dry state, which would be a benefit greater than many 

 could imagine, and should be left a week before planting. As to 

 sorts, I should advise the young amateur not to plant any but large, 

 well-formed, clear, and distinct-coloured sorts, for one bad-formed 

 flower spoils the otherwise beautiful appearance of a whole bed, nor 

 must he ever expect to raise a first-rate seedling except he discard all 

 such trash from his collection. I should recommend a little moss, 

 or some pebbles, to be placed over the surface of the bed during the 



